Fabrication of PCU/UHMWPE polymeric blends and 3D printing using the same
The present invention relates to methods of fabricating PCU/UHMWPE blended filaments and medical implantable structures using 3D printing of polymeric material, such as PCU/UHMWPE blend structures. The 3D printer dispenses said polymeric material in a layer-by-layer manner to create said medical implant. Polymeric material is dispensed at up to 100% infill. In one embodiment, the layer-by-layer dispensing is at a reduced speed for the bottom and top 1 to 10 layers.
1. A method for fabricating a medical implant having the ability to absorb fluid with de-pressurization and to release fluid upon loading, the method comprising:
(a) providing a polymeric material wherein said polymeric material is a blend of polycarbonate-urethane and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (PCU/UHMWPE);
(b) supplying said polymeric material to a 3D printing device; and
(c) using said 3D printing device to dispense said polymeric material in a layer-by-layer manner to create said medical implant.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said PCU/UHMWPE is in the form of a filament.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said polymeric material is dispensed at up to 100% infill.
4. A method for fabricating a medical implant having the ability to absorb interstitial synovial fluid with de-pressurization and to release interstitial synovial fluid upon loading, the method comprising:
(a) providing a polymeric material wherein said polymeric material is a blend of polycarbonate-urethane and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (PCU/UHMWPE);
(b) supplying said polymeric material to a 3D printing device; and
(c) using said 3D printer to dispense said polymeric material in a layer-by-layer manner to create said medical implant.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein said PCU/UHMWPE is in the form of a filament.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein said polymeric material is dispensed at up to 100% infill.
7. A method for fabricating an implantable meniscus having the ability to absorb interstitial synovial fluid with de-pressurization and to release interstitial synovial fluid upon loading, the method comprising:
(a) providing a polymeric material wherein said polymeric material is a blend of polycarbonate-urethane and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (PCU/UHMWPE);
(b) supplying said polymeric material to a 3D printing device; and
(c) using said 3D printer to dispense said polymeric material in a layer-by-layer manner to create said medical implant.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein said PCU/UHMWPE is in the form of a filament.
9. The method of claim 7 wherein said polymeric material is dispensed at up to 100% infill.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein during the layer-by-layer dispensing a reduced speed is used for the bottom and top layers.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein during the layer-by-layer dispensing a reduced speed is used for the bottom and top 1 to 10 layers.
12. The method of claim 4 wherein during the layer-by-layer dispensing a reduced speed is used for the bottom and top layers.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein during the layer-by-layer dispensing a reduced speed is used for the bottom and top 1 to 10 layers.
14. The method of claim 7 wherein during the layer-by-layer dispensing a reduced speed is used for the bottom and top layers.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein during the layer-by-layer dispensing a reduced speed is used for the bottom and top 1 to 10 layers.